Alex spent the remainder of the night and a good portion of the next day writing letters.

To her parents, she wrote that she had decided that she was going to take her independent journey beyond Boston and attempt a backpacking trip through Europe or perhaps beyond, depending on her motivation, but would be without cell phone or internet so instant communication would be near impossible. But she promised to write when she could and left it at that.

To Crystal, she wrote something similar, needing to keep the story copasetic should her parents attempt to corroborate with her once her letter was received. In both, however, she insisted that she loved them all, and continued to think of them, and would miss them on her journey.

It wasn't a lie.

To her employer, however, she was a little less sentimental. That the letter was considered her notice of resignation, and though she appreciated the experience gained from her time making high-end espresso drinks, she found her time, effort, and energies were better served elsewhere.

The joy in Treyan's eyes when she delivered the letters to him the next day was unsurmountable, but she was too tired to speak of it any further and slept until the following morning.

With her decision made, Alex continued with the studies required of the Empress. In addition to royal pleasantries, she learned the current hospitality customs for when nobles visited the palace, and as she expected, there were, in fact, dance lessons; Treyan assisted as her partner, and as much as he protested otherwise, he was an excellent lead. She learned the inner dealings of each province within the Empire and discovered that she would need to visit them each soon after the coronation ceremony. The people expected it of the Empress, the Councillor explained, and it was her place as the newest addition to the royal family to make them feel a closer connection to the palace.

In light of the attack on the northern village, the latter was likely going to need to occur sooner than later. Especially as the placement of the orphans had begun, but still there were responses that had not arrived, and if Alex had to make the trips to those provinces herself to get the answers she needed, she would do it.

The coronation itself would be a ceremonious event where the lords, dignitaries, and figureheads of the Empire's surrounding provinces and villages would venture to the palace for a week's worth of celebration and festivities. With the news of the ambush having been delivered with the warnings of Reylor's mages being closer than expected, the Councillor insisted that the coronation ceremony would prove that the Empire remained solid and unaffected despite the threats. No one, not even the banished Lord Steward, would get in the way of the Empire or its Prophecy; therefore the ceremony was to go on without delay.

Regarding the Betrayer, there had been no word from either Reylor or his minions since the attack, though additional guards and sentries were posted along the bordering tree line in preparation for any possible infiltration. With the heightened threat, Treyan reduced his personal rangings at the request of Alex and the Councillor both. She often used the coronation preparations as an excuse to keep Treyan close, perhaps even to keep his mind off what was happening elsewhere within the Empire when he could not be there personally. She was selfishly worried more about his well-being than anything else, and she knew he was aware of this, but he did her the kindness of going along with her requests.

As for their relationship, knowing what they were destined for did not leave her mind, but she was still thankful for the time that they could build a real bond. Whether it was because of the magic of the Prophecy, or because there was something genuine between them, Alex soon discovered that Treyan complemented her as the ideal mate should; even his quirks were tolerable— picking his teeth after a meal, his refusal to read for pleasure— just as she assumed hers were to him.

Since the night in the cave, Alex found she appreciated the warmth of Treyan's body next to hers, with or without their clothes. And while sleeping in his arms, the threat of unwanted dreams and lingering nightmares seemed to dissipate. Whether it was through his own magic or something else, she didn't care. Their nights were spent in each other's beds, but Treyan was stubborn in his ways, and their advances never went beyond lingering kisses and exploring hands. He constantly reminded her that their time would come, that it would be special, and that it would be important. Sometimes she wondered if the mantra was just for her alone, or to also keep his own hormones in check.

But it was patience he asked for, so patience she gave.

Treyan lay disheveled on her bed, and it always made her feel content, knowing she could render him as such. His dark hair was loose, and it surrounded his head like a pool during the night. His eyes were closed, and his chest was heaving. She didn't give him much time to relax, however, for she slid her naked body on top of his, kissing him deeply, hoping he had more in him as she straddled him.

He returned the kiss, but the moment she landed on top of him, he stopped. "You know tomorrow is going to be a very long and busy day."

She looked down at him, brushing her hair back behind her ear. "Oh, that whole coronation thing? Nah, I got this one covered." She began kissing him again.

He let her kiss him, but again stopped her a moment later. "The Empress needs her beauty sleep," he insisted.

"I'll sleep when I'm dead. Let's just have this moment now."

"We will have plenty of moments, Alex, I can promise you that. But right now..."

He wrapped his legs up around her waist, and using his body strength, flipped her over onto the bed, so it was he who was now straddling her. "Right now, you need to go to bed."

He held her wrists down upon the bed, and she bit her lip playfully as she looked up at him. "You're so mean."

"You have no idea." He leaned down to kiss her, and though she could feel him hardening between her legs, she knew he would not submit to his desire.

She decided it was best for her own sanity to stop the madness before it got worse, and she playfully pushed him off her. He rolled aside, but not far, for he would stay with her throughout the night. Feigning anger, she rolled over away from him, covering herself as she went. He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, and his warmth allowed her to relax.

"Treyan?"

"Hmm?" he murmured into her hair.

"What happens after tomorrow?"

"After tomorrow you will be Queen Empress Alexstrayna, the daughter of Saviors, and the Light of the Empire."

"You've been hanging around the Councillor too much."

He chuckled softly. "You're not wrong."

"What will happen to you?"

"Me? I get to play the part of the Crown Prince, welcoming the liege lords to our palace. But the attention isn't going to be on me, Empress, and I am quite alright with that."

"Lucky you."

He hugged her tightly, letting his arms remain draped on her hips. "Everything will be fine. Just remember, you were born for this day. Everything will go just as it should, and once the ceremonies are over, hopefully you'll finally be able to enjoy all the Empire has to offer."

She nestled into him. "You better be right, because so far all I've seen are rules, regulations, restrictions and remorse."

His brows furrowed at that, even as he said, "I'm always right." Kissing her neck, he murmured against her skin. "I promise, Alex. We'll get beyond this, and we'll be able to be happy."

As much as she wantedto challenge his optimism, she also wanted to believe him, and nodded as thethoughts of what was to come began to lull her into sleep.